Victor Osimhen Agrees to Join Galatasaray in €75m Deal—Liverpool’s Transfer Plans Hit Roadblock
By Okafor Joseph Afam | Published July 9, 2025
Galatasaray Win Race for Osimhen as Liverpool’s Swap Deal Dreams Collapse
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has reportedly reached a verbal agreement to join Turkish champions Galatasaray in a blockbuster permanent move from Napoli, dealing a blow to Liverpool’s summer transfer strategy.
After months of speculation surrounding his future, Osimhen has opted to remain at Galatasaray, where he spent last season on loan and impressed with 37 goals and 8 assists in 41 matches. The 26-year-old’s stunning form reignited interest across Europe, but it is the Turkish giants who now appear to have won the race.
Galatasaray Confident of €75m Osimhen Transfer Deal
According to top transfer insider Florian Plettenberg, Osimhen has agreed to a three-year deal with an option to extend until 2029. Galatasaray are now ‘convinced’ the deal will go through, even though an agreement with Napoli is still pending.
Napoli, led by manager Antonio Conte, are demanding the full payment of Osimhen’s €75 million (£64.7m) release clause. Galatasaray’s latest offer reportedly matches that valuation, though the club prefers to spread the payment across five instalments, which could delay final approval.
Despite Osimhen entering the final year of his contract, Napoli are holding firm, risking losing the Nigerian for free in 2026 if a deal isn’t reached soon.
Liverpool Suffer Transfer Setback as Nunez Swap Falls Through
Osimhen had been one of Liverpool’s top three striker targets this summer, alongside Newcastle’s Alexander Isak and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike. The Premier League champions were exploring the possibility of a swap deal involving Darwin Nunez, who has struggled to justify his £85m price tag since arriving at Anfield.
Napoli are reportedly keen on Nunez as a replacement for Osimhen and remain in talks. However, Osimhen’s imminent move to Galatasaray removes the possibility of a direct striker swap, limiting Liverpool’s transfer options.
With Newcastle refusing to sell Isak and no progress on Ekitike, Liverpool may now be forced to either keep Nunez or pursue alternative options in the striker market.
What’s Next?
Osimhen’s decision represents a major coup for Galatasaray and a significant twist in the European summer transfer window. All eyes are now on Napoli’s response and Liverpool’s next move as the domino effect from this high-profile deal begins to unfold.
